Ideas, Images, And Methods Of Portrayal: Insights Into Classical Arabic Literature And Islam (Islamic History and Civilization) (Islamic History and Civilization)

This volume deals with the genesis of selected classical Arabic texts as the products of different milieus, and the implications which these texts had for Islamic societies in medieval times. It explores the concepts and images which Muslim scholars from the 8th to the 14th century presented in their writings and, in particular, ponders the ways in which these authors used specific methods of portrayal—either overtly or more subtly—to advance their ideas. The fresh theoretical and methodological approaches applied in this book facilitate the understanding of how medieval Muslim writers expressed their views and, more importantly, why they expressed them in the way they did. This helps disclose, for example, how the images of historically or religiously significant figures in Arabic-Islamic culture have been developed and shaped in the process of their "literarization." Readership: All those interested in Classical Arabic literature and the intellectual history of Islam, including such areas as religion, history, philosophy, ethics, and education; as well as those interested in the development of religion, culture, literatures, and societies in the Arabic Middle East in general. This Volume Deals With The Genesis Of Selected Classical Arabic Texts As The Products Of Different Milieus, And The Implications Which These Texts Had For Islamic Societies In Medieval Times. It Explores The Concepts And Images Which Muslim Scholars From The 8th To The 14th Century Presented In Their Writings And, In Particular, Ponders The Ways In Which These Authors Used Specific Methods Of Portrayal-either Overtly Or More Subtly-to Advance Their Ideas. The Fresh Theoretical And Methodological Approaches Applied In This Book Facilitate The Understanding Of How Medieval Muslim Writers Expressed Their Views And, More Importantly, Why They Expressed Them In The Way They Did. This Helps Disclose, For Example, How The Images Of Historically Or Religiously Significant Figures In Arabic-islamic Culture Have Been Developed And Shaped In The Process Of Their Literarization.--jacket. Introduction ---- 1. Context Equivalence : A Hitherto Insufficiently Studied Use Of The Quran In Political Speeches From The Early Period Of Islam --- 2. Classical Heritage And New Literary Forms : Literary Activities Of Christians During The Umayyad Period --- 3. Refuting The Charge Of Tahrif. Abu Ra'ita (d. Ca. 835) And His First Risala On The Holy Trinity --- 4. Meeting The Patron : An Akhbar Type And Its Implications For Muhdath Poetry --- 5. Advice For Teachers : The 9th Century Muslim Scholars Ibn Sahnun And Al-jahiz On Pedagogy And Didactics --- 6. Medieval Muslim Scholarship And Social Network Analysis : A Study Of The Basra/kufa Dichotomy In Arabic Grammar --- 7. The Contribution Of The Mawali To The Six Sunnite Canonical Hadith Collections --- 8. Portrayal Of The Hajj As A Context For Women's Exegesis : Textual Evidence In Al-bukhari's (d. 870) Al-sahih --- 9. Image Formation Of An Islamic Legend : Fatima, The Daughter Of The Prophet Muhammad --- 10. Narratives And Character Development : Al-tabari And Al-baladhuri On Late Umayyad History --- 11. The Alchemy Of Happiness : Al-ghazali's Kimiya And The Origins Of The Khwajagan-naqshbandiyya Principles --- 12. Taqlid Of The Philosophers : Al-ghazali's Initial Accusation In His Tahafut --- 13. The Spread Of Zahirism In Post-caliphal Al-andalus : The Evidence From The Biographical Dictionaries --- 14. Working Within Structure : Al-zamakhshari (d. 1144) : A Late Mu'tazilite Quran Commentator At Work --- 15. The First Islamic Revolt In Mamluk Collective Memory : Ibn Bakr's (d. 1340) Portrayal Of The Third Caliph 'uthman --- 16. The Sword And The Pen In The Pre-modern Arabic Heritage : A Literary Representation Of An Important Historical Relationship. Edited By Sebastian Günther. Includes Bibliographical References And Indexes.